Salem-News.com Welfare articles

Gresham Opens Public Warming Center

The Gresham shelter will provide protection from the weather but will not provide food or bedding.

(GRESHAM, Ore.) - In response to the snow and extreme temperatures the City is offering a temporary warming center available in Gresham beginning Saturday December 13th through Thursday December 18th.

The warming center will be at St. Henry's Catholic Church, 346 NW 1st Street Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights, and will move nearby to the First Baptist Church 224 W Powell Blvd. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.

The warming center will be open from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Doors will lock at the warming center at 9:00 PM. Those using the center may leave at any time, but will not be allowed back into the shelter after 9:00 PM.

Parental Rights Organizations Across the Nation Will Encroach on U.S. Capitol for Civil Rights Event

A similar event is being held in Salem, Oregon on July 26th.

(OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich.) - Children’s and Parent’s Rights organizations from across the nation are scheduled to encroach on Washington DC this August 15th & 16th at the Upper Senate Park. They say they are doing it because government policies do not reflect what is truly best for children and good parents.

Organizer Larry Holland says the event is bringing the major issues facing parents to the legislators’ doorsteps, their backyards, and their offices.

Food-Stamp Recipients Receive Annual Increase this Month

For a family of four receiving the maximum benefit, the food-stamp benefit increases by $12 from $506 a month to $518.

(SALEM) - Oregon's 221,000 food-stamp households will receive small increases this month in the amount of their benefit and in how much they can earn to qualify. The changes, affecting about 431,000 people, became effective Sunday, Oct. 1st.

The federal government, which finances the food-stamp program, revises food-stamp payments annually to reflect changes in food, housing and other costs. Recipients are people who are low-income, elderly or disabled. The average amount of food stamps received by an Oregon household is about $174.

Governor Directs DHS to Ensure That No One Suffers From New Medicaid Rules

DHS officials estimate as many as 70,000 Oregonians may be unable to immediately and readily provide proof of citizenship.

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski said Wednesday the state will make certain that no one who is eligible for Medicaid in Oregon will suffer harm from new federal Medicaid requirements, which will require nearly 500,000 Medicaid recipients in Oregon to show proof of citizenship when they enroll in the Oregon Health Plan.

"We will make certain that no one who is eligible for Medicaid in Oregon will be hurt as a result of these new regulations," said Governor Kulongoski. "Despite the fact that these new rules will impose a significant burden on the state, we will make certain that the health, safety and well-being of our neediest citizens will not be jeopardized."